Hitching aids
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 12
From: Upstate NY
My truck never made it off of the dealer lot befor that center headrest came out. My wife's Fusion at least made it home first. DOT regulations say that manufacturer's supply one for each seating space - regardless of the fact that the blind spot may be a worse driving hazard then the headrest.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 728
From: Calgary Canada
Since my backseat is full of carseats, I have all three of the headrests taken out. Rearward visibility is much improved.
Also, another marriage saving solution is to keep your wife away from you whenever you are hitching up, or backing up the trailer. I decided a couple of years ago I'd rather damage the trailer by backing it into a tree then hve to listen to her yell at me. I usually have to get in and out of the truck a bunch of times, but that's easier, and often faster, than getting her to "help".
If at all possible, I try to hitch the trailer when she's busy doing something else.
Also, another marriage saving solution is to keep your wife away from you whenever you are hitching up, or backing up the trailer. I decided a couple of years ago I'd rather damage the trailer by backing it into a tree then hve to listen to her yell at me. I usually have to get in and out of the truck a bunch of times, but that's easier, and often faster, than getting her to "help".
If at all possible, I try to hitch the trailer when she's busy doing something else.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
I'm learning this now.. My wife tells me after I'm at the hitch and 4" to one side to say I am off. When I say that she should be directing me as I'm backing up to be on it, she can't tell where it will be so she doesn't. When I bring our toy hauler home, I back it up to the house if it will be with us more than a day. OMG That is more frustrating than hooking the trailer up. SHe gets all frustrated saying it makes her nervous and that frustrates me and it's just a big cluster...
Brian
Brian
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,515
Likes: 671
From: Sioux Falls Area
wow ... i got it good.
my wife usually hooks her own trailer, and when she helps she tells me which way the ball has to go, waves me back and clenches her fist and says "whoa" when i need to stop.
then i sit there with my foot on the brake while she drops it on the hitch .....
Course, it helps that she knows how to back and hook up, so she knows what the driver needs for help.
sounds to me like you guys are doing something wrong
just gotta make them back up and hook up with you standing there telling them they are off when it is too late to do something about it
my wife usually hooks her own trailer, and when she helps she tells me which way the ball has to go, waves me back and clenches her fist and says "whoa" when i need to stop.
then i sit there with my foot on the brake while she drops it on the hitch .....
Course, it helps that she knows how to back and hook up, so she knows what the driver needs for help.
sounds to me like you guys are doing something wrong
just gotta make them back up and hook up with you standing there telling them they are off when it is too late to do something about it
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 12
From: Upstate NY
Sounds like we all either married the same woman or one of them was cloned. Mine usually stands in a blind spot waggling her hands or cringeing if I'm really close to an obstruction.
I have no problem hooking up our 5er, but those obstructions while backing can play h3!! with fiberglass
- and the new one is significantly longer then the last, especially with the extended pin box location now on most 5ers
I have no problem hooking up our 5er, but those obstructions while backing can play h3!! with fiberglass
- and the new one is significantly longer then the last, especially with the extended pin box location now on most 5ers
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
I don't look out my rear glass to hook up a trailer. I use my mirrors. If I'm backing straight onto the rig I center the trailer by having the same amount showing on both sides. I've towed so many years I can get on the hitch without ever looking out my back glass. Trust your mirrors.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
I don't look out my rear glass to hook up a trailer. I use my mirrors. If I'm backing straight onto the rig I center the trailer by having the same amount showing on both sides. I've towed so many years I can get on the hitch without ever looking out my back glass. Trust your mirrors.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
I don't look out my rear glass to hook up a trailer. I use my mirrors. If I'm backing straight onto the rig I center the trailer by having the same amount showing on both sides. I've towed so many years I can get on the hitch without ever looking out my back glass. Trust your mirrors.
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